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Un-cancelled! The Christian Parent’s Guide to Overcoming the “Cancel” Culture and the Spirit of Separation

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 20:10:30 GMT

Un-cancelled!

The Christian Parent’s Guide to Overcoming the

“Cancel” Culture and the Spirit of Separation

Lily Taylor | 3.20.24

Praying for Wayward Children

Overcoming Separation

There is a popular cultural norm circulating among young adults in our world today that encourages them to believe that their parents’ Christian values are intolerant, unhealthy or even “toxic.” I have read heart-breaking social media comments and blog posts from young adults claiming that their decision to leave their parents out of their lives is a “healthy boundary.” While I acknowledge that every generation has a natural desire to forge their own path and leave their own mark on

their generation, there are several places in scripture where it explains that disdain for parents is a first step in separation from God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 1-5).

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “ Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand .”

Separation is Satan’s foundational tool. One of his primary methods is to divide - in order to conquer. We see this from the beginning in Genesis, when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in order to separate them from God.

As I have written in previous articles on this website and hopefully you noticed as an unwritten theme throughout our book, Unconfined, I believe that family is God’s design. While I respect that my children are adults and I am no longer needed in the role as parent, I believe we are more likely to bless future generations if a cohesive spirit of unity and communion exists, rather than a spirit of separation in our family.

If you are experiencing the estrangement of a dearly loved prodigal child who has rejected you, consider these steps:

Confess your own part in any separation.
Recognize that separation of families is a primary goal of Satan, and refuse to accept that the separation is permanent or that his lies about your motives, heart or character will succeed.
Meditate on the following qualities of God which foster unity and are in opposition to separation:

Consequences of Separation God's Design

Critical/Mocking/Arrogant/Proud Humility (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Deception/Lies/Vain Imaginations Truth (John 8:32)

No fear of God Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10)

Lost/Hopeless/Full of Fear, Anxiety and Despair Filling of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17)

Sins of the Fathers/Cursed Covered by the Blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7)

Greedy/Seeking after the World Generosity (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

Death Life/Blessing (Deut. 30:19)

Praying the scriptures above for your prodigal, is a powerful spiritual weapon to uproot each of the strongholds of the spirit of separation. Read each of the scriptures while asking the Holy Spirit to firmly establish that God-honoring behavior in your own life and overflowing that quality to and through your children.

Prayer for Prodigals:

God Our Healer

Prayer: Dear Lord, everything you created was good. However, mankind allowed the spirit of separation to come in to your perfect plan, and it has been trying to destroy the beautiful gift of family since the dawn of creation. The deepest desire of my heart is to see my family restored, and thriving in You! There are many examples in Your word in which You answered an intercessor’s prayer for healing and restoration of families and communities. You are referred to in holy scripture 60 times as Jehovah Rapha (God Our Healer). Thus, I firmly believe that You are able to supernaturally restore things that appear permanently broken. I want my life and family to resemble the vine you describe in John 15:5-8 – firmly connected You and bearing fruit! I pray the following will grow in my life and in my descendants: humility, truth, reverence for your holiness, nearness of the Holy Spirit, generosity and blessing!

Blessings,

Lily

their generation, there are several places in scripture where it explains that disdain for parents is a first step in separation from God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 1-5).

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “ Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand .”

If you are experiencing the estrangement of a dearly loved prodigal child who has rejected you, consider these steps:

Confess your own part in any separation.
Recognize that separation of families is a primary goal of Satan, and refuse to accept that the separation is permanent or that his lies about your motives, heart or character will succeed.
Meditate on the following qualities of God which foster unity and are in opposition to separation:

Consequences of Separation God's Design

Critical/Mocking/Arrogant/Proud Humility (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Deception/Lies/Vain Imaginations Truth (John 8:32)

No fear of God Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10)

Lost/Hopeless/Full of Fear, Anxiety and Despair Filling of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17)

Sins of the Fathers/Cursed Covered by the Blood of Jesus

(1 John 1:7)

Greedy/Seeking after the World Generosity (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

Death Life/Blessing (Deut. 30:19)

Prayer for Prodigals:

God Our Healer

Blessings,

Lily

their generation, there are several places in scripture where it explains that disdain for parents is a first step in separation from God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 1-5).

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “ Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand .”

If you are experiencing the estrangement of a dearly loved prodigal child who has rejected you, consider these steps:

Confess your own part in any separation.
Recognize that separation of families is a primary goal of Satan, and refuse to accept that the separation is permanent or that his lies about your motives, heart or character will succeed.
Meditate on the following qualities of God which foster unity and are in opposition to separation:

Consequences of Separation

vs. God's Design

Critical/Mocking/Arrogant/Proud vs. Humility (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Deception/Lies/Vain Imaginations vs. Truth (John 8:32)

No fear of God vs. Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10)

Lost/Hopeless/Full of Fear, Anxiety and Despair vs. Filling of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17)

Sins of the Fathers/Cursed vs. Covered by the Blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7)

Greedy/Seeking after the World vs. Generosity (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

Death vs. Life/Blessing (Deut. 30:19)

Prayer for Prodigals:

God Our Healer

Blessings,

Lily

Developing “Even Now” Faith for your Prodigal Child

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:13:47 GMT

Prayer for Prodigals:

Developing “Even Now” Faith for Your Prodigal Child

Lily Taylor | 11.16.23

Praying for Wayward Children

Jesus Can Make A Way

Does it seem to you that God is slow in answering your fervent prayers for your wayward child? You have prayed, you have believed, and there is no change – maybe the situation has even worsened? We can draw comfort in the midst of this uncertainty by developing an “even now” level of faith.

In John’s gospel, we find a story of two followers of Jesus, Mary and Martha, who hoped and believed He would

heal their brother, Lazarus. They sent word to Jesus that their brother was gravely ill. Jesus did not answer their call right away, and Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived at Mary and Martha’s house 4 days after their brother died, Martha greeted him with this astounding statement:

John 11:21-22 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Martha acknowledged that the situation looked hopeless and permanent, but she was also acknowledging that Jesus could make a way where there seemed to be no way . And of course, we know that Jesus did raise Lazarus back to life. He returned to fellowship with his family.

Prayers for Prodigals:

Even Now

Interestingly, the Lord Himself used this same language when He told the prophet Joel that He was about to bring punishment on the country of Judah due to their sinfulness and idolatry. After describing what His justice would look like, God inserted:

Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

The same compassion that Jesus had for Mary and Martha, who had lost the relationship with their brother God had for an entire nation who had turned away from Him. No matter how “dead” something looks, God can bring it back to life! And He tells us why He is inclined to do that: because He is gracious and compassionate, abounding in love – for you and for your loved one.

Call out to God continuously and let Him know that you are certain that “even now” He can and will answer your prayers.

I am praying in faith with you.

God bless you and your family,

Lily

John 11:21-22 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Prayers for Prodigals:

Even Now

Call out to God continuously and let Him know that you are certain that “even now” He can and will answer your prayers.

I am praying in faith with you.

God bless you and your family,

Lily

John 11:21-22 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Prayers for Prodigals:

Even Now

Call out to God continuously and let Him know that you are certain that “even now” He can and will answer your prayers.

I am praying in faith with you.

God bless you and your family,

Lily

7 Promises in the Bible for Parents Experiencing Anxiety About the Prodigal Lives of Their Adult Children

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:50:53 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals:

7 Promises in the Bible for Parents Experiencing Anxiety About the Prodigal Lives of Their Adult Children

Lily Taylor | 10.5.23

Prayers for Wayward Children

The Influence of Parents

If your adult child is making choices which are harmful for them or which do not honor God, it is a very human response to be filled with worry for their physical and spiritual wellbeing. But instead of walking the floor worrying, Believers should be walking around praising God for His promises! Here are 7 beautiful truths from God’s word:

These verses remind us that our influence as parents is profound. While our children may stray temporarily, the foundation of faith we’ve instilled in them will remain, guiding them back to God’s embrace.

Scripture for Prodigals:

The 7 Promises

Jeremiah 31:16-17: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work (raising of your children, prayer) shall be rewarded, says the LORD, and they (your children) shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the LORD, that your children shall come back to their own border (place of peace and safety and well-being)."

(Amplified Bible)

Isaiah 49:25: “I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children.” (MSG)

Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NIV)

Psalm 91:11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (NIV)

Isaiah 54:13: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)

Luke 15:11-32: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
This parable illustrates God’s unconditional love and willingness to welcome back wayward children with open arms. Just as the father in the parable eagerly awaits the return of his prodigal son, God eagerly waits for our children to come back to Him.

Conclusion:
Parenting prodigals is undoubtedly a difficult and emotional journey. However, as parents, we can take solace in the profound promises of God’s protection and love for our children. These biblical verses serve as a reminder that our Heavenly Father is watching over them, even in their wanderings. Trust in His divine protection!

Blessings

Lily

These verses remind us that our influence as parents is profound. While our children may stray temporarily, the foundation of faith we’ve instilled in them will remain, guiding them back to God’s embrace.

Scripture for Prodigals:

The 7 Promises

(Amplified Bible)

Isaiah 49:25: “I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children.” (MSG)

Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NIV)

Psalm 91:11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (NIV)

Isaiah 54:13: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)

Blessings

Lily

Scripture for Prodigals:

The 7 Promises

(Amplified Bible)

Isaiah 49:25: “I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children.” (MSG)

Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NIV)

Psalm 91:11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (NIV)

Isaiah 54:13: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)

Blessings

Lily

Rooted in Faith – Believing John 15:5 for your Prodigal Child

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 20:59:15 GMT

Prayer for Prodigals:

Rooted in Faith – Believing John 15:5 for your Prodigal Child

Lily Taylor | 8.29.23

Praying for Prodigals:

It Will Be Granted

Loving and raising children, nurturing them in the way they should go, is one of life’s most fulfilling and rewarding experiences. However life does not always follow the path we envision. Sometimes our beloved children grow distant, wandering away from the values we hold dear. Jesus’ famous words to His disciples in John 15:5 hold special help for parents of prodigal children in several ways.

John 15:5-8: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much

fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. […] [I]f you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

Praying for Wayward Children:

God's Unending Love

1. You are connection to Jesus in your child’s life. If you stay connected to Jesus as your source of strength, hope and faith, as He instructs in the passage above, God promises that this connection will bear fruit. In 1 Corinthians 7:14, the Apostle Paul urged anyone married to a non-believer to stay married to that spouse, so that, through their union, the non-believing spouse and their children would be sanctified and blessed. While every person must make an individual decision to follow Christ, being in a Godly household or in close relationship with a believer has a sanctifying effect on others. Let God’s Holy Spirit fill you continually – so that you can be a branch that passes on the life-giving fruit of the Spirit to others, including your spouse and your children.

2. When you stay “rooted,” you lead by example. While our prodigal child(ren) may be estranged from you or eschew your values, it is essential to understand that our role as a parent is not lost or diminished. Our responsibility now extends beyond disciplinarians or rule-setters; we become living testaments of God’s unending love and forgiveness. By demonstrating forgiveness, compassion and resilience in our own lives, we create a space where our prodigal children may witness the transformative power of God’s love and redemption.

3. Set boundaries while keeping the lines of communication open. Communicating openly and honestly with our prodigal children, such as sharing our own faults or failings, is key to nurturing their hearts and guiding them back towards a flourishing relationship with God. It is important to establish healthy boundaries that encourage respect and personal responsibility. By setting these boundaries with love and consistency, we not only model healthy behavior but also provide a framework for eventual reconciliation. You don’t have to rescue your child from their bad decisions to still stay in relationship with them. For example, you don’t have to give your adult child money if you think there is a good chance they will use it for something that you know might hurt them. But perhaps you might have coffee with them. Or take them to dinner. Or, put some gas in their car, to show that you care about their situation. You do not have to approve of your child’s lifestyle to stay in relationship with him/her. If you have an open line of communication with them, just tell your child that you love them and you are praying for them. If you do not have a way to communicate with them at the present time, live your life openly and publicly with joy, believing that the Lord is working out a way for you to be reunited. Your child may hear of you from others or see a bit of your life on social media. You might be communicating without knowing, because God will make a way!

Praying for Our Families!

Lily

Praying for Wayward Children:

God's Unending Love

Praying for Our Families!

Lily

Praying for Wayward Children:

God's Unending Love

Praying for Our Families!

Lily

Water Your Seeds of Faith to Experience More Effective Prayer

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:46:44 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals:

Water Your Seeds of Faith to Experience More Effective Prayer

Lily Taylor | 8.15.23

Praying for Wayward Children

Mountain-Moving Miracles

It occurred to me in my quiet time this week – if there was a chance I wasn't fully seeing the answers to my prayers for my prodigals because I'm not sufficiently watering my mustard seed of faith. Perhaps I was so focused on seeing the results that I haven't been continuing to nurture and strengthen it properly. I read the bible every day and spend time in prayer. But Jesus clearly said the asking must be accompanied by believing.

In Matthew 17:20 Jesus told his disciples they could pray powerful intercessory prayers if they had enough faith. “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

Many of us are praying for some type of healing for our child, that might look unlikely in the here and now. So, how can we bolster our faith - such that we see mountain moving miracles? To completely tap into the transformative power of faith, we must fully give ourselves over to God by watering our “seed” through trust, patience, and persistence. In Mark 9: 22-24 The father of the little boy who needed healing asked Jesus: “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” And Jesus completely healed his son.

Prodigal Son Prayer:

How to Water Your Faith

Two things you can do to water your faith:

Bring to mind the prayers that God has already answered. Although my boys are not yet worshipping God, they have both been delivered from addiction. That is such a huge answered prayer! How can I not have faith that God will also answer my other prayers for them?
Ask God to “Help your Unbelief.” Just like the father in Mark 9 did, you can ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you more faith. In Galatians 5:22–23, the bible tells us that the gifts that the Holy Spirit stands ready to impart to you are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If your faith feels weak, ask God for more!

With the smallest amount of true, unwavering faith, even the largest things are possible. God's timing is perfect; keep your focus on watering the mustard seed, rather than on the results you seek, and the answer will come.

Blessings

Lily

Prodigal Son Prayer:

How to Water Your Faith

Two things you can do to water your faith:

Bring to mind the prayers that God has already answered. Although my boys are not yet worshipping God, they have both been delivered from addiction. That is such a huge answered prayer! How can I not have faith that God will also answer my other prayers for them?
Ask God to “Help your Unbelief.” Just like the father in Mark 9 did, you can ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you more faith. In Galatians 5:22–23, the bible tells us that the gifts that the Holy Spirit stands ready to impart to you are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If your faith feels weak, ask God for more!

Blessings

Lily

Prodigal Son Prayer:

How to Water Your Faith

Two things you can do to water your faith:

Bring to mind the prayers that God has already answered. Although my boys are not yet worshipping God, they have both been delivered from addiction. That is such a huge answered prayer! How can I not have faith that God will also answer my other prayers for them?
Ask God to “Help your Unbelief.” Just like the father in Mark 9 did, you can ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you more faith. In Galatians 5:22–23, the bible tells us that the gifts that the Holy Spirit stands ready to impart to you are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If your faith feels weak, ask God for more!

Blessings

Lily

Praying for Wayward Children: Stop Rescuing... And Start Abiding

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:05:31 GMT

Praying for Wayward Children:

Stop Rescuing… And Start Abiding

Lily Taylor | 7.18.23

Praying for Prodigals:

Finding the Balance

A lot of Christian parents that I speak with have expended so much money and time trying to help their wayward, off-course adult child. I have been guilty of this myself. If a parent has resources or management skills, it is extremely hard not to use those skills to help a child who is in need – perhaps who owes a debt, or has legal fees, or has a fine or ticket to pay. The next time you are faced with this situation, ask yourself, “Would the Lord want me to do this? Am I getting the “balance” right?”

Here’s what I mean by the balance:

Even if the Lord has blessed you with talent and financial or other resources, He did not call you to use them to fix every problem that another person creates. Instead, He called you to “ABIDE.”

In John 15:5, Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Some translations use the word “abide” for the verb “remain.” Both words are so lovely and powerful. Spending time in prayer, studying the scripture and listening to praise-filled music are all great ways to abide with your savior. The more you do these things, the more answers you will receive - as to whether you should act in a particular situation.

There are many examples in scripture of of Jesus rescuing sinners from hopeless situations – such as those who could not work because they were disabled (John 5:1-9) or demon-possessed (Mark 5:1-20). The Bible also instructs Believers care for widows and the poor (Isaiah 1:17; 1 Tim. 5:3). But no scriptures come to mind in which we are encouraged to rescue a capable adult from a mess of their own making. In fact, the wisdom literature of Proverbs recommends that you don’t take responsibility for another’s debt (Prov. 22:26).

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Rather Than A Rescuer

In the famous parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15, the father gives his son a large gift, but when the son squanders the gift and finds himself in need, the father is depicted by Jesus as lovingly watching from a distance, exuding love, expectancy, and forgiveness – not rushing to his son’s aid. I wonder what would have happened had the father traveled to the distant country where the son had moved and bailed him out before the son “came to himself?” It’s possible the son would have spent even longer in the place where he was not fulfilling his destiny, instead of turning his life around.

So, while it is my natural tendency to be a rescuer, I have asked the Holy Spirit to help me with this. Instead of jumping to the rescue when one of my children has a serious need, even a need not created by poor choices, I say this prayer:

“Holy Spirit, Thank You for being our Counselor. I am sad about this situation [_________________] in my child’s life. I draw close to You and ask to spend time with you – that I may seek Your wisdom in this situation. Should I offer help with this situation? I want my child to learn to depend on YOU and not me. If it is within Your will for me to act, show the right balance between showing love and creating dependence on myself instead of You. If I should not intervene at this time, please give me peace about saying no. Amen.”

Often, if I spend a lot of time in the Word and in Prayer about a situation, I feel wisdom from the Holy Spirit that either tells me to wait – or gives me an idea for how I can support without actually interjecting myself in the situation. My faith grows and is made richer for the remaining. Our God is so creative. No matter how big the challenge that is facing your child, God only has to breathe in your child’s direction to fix it! All the money and striving in the world will come to “nothing” – as the scripture promises – if you are not sufficiently connected to the Source of every good thing. Spending time with the One who loves you – and who loves your family – will yield a better solution than anything you can devise on your own!

Get the Balance Right. Abide more than you worry.

God bless you and your family.

Lily

Here’s what I mean by the balance:

Even if the Lord has blessed you with talent and financial or other resources, He did not call you to use them to fix every problem that another person creates. Instead, He called you to “ABIDE.”

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Rather Than A Rescuer

“Holy Spirit, Thank You for being our Counselor. I am sad about this situation [____] in my child’s life. I draw close to You and ask to spend time with you – that I may seek Your wisdom in this situation. Should I offer help with this situation? I want my child to learn to depend on YOU and not me. If it is within Your will for me to act, show the right balance between showing love and creating dependence on myself instead of You. If I should not intervene at this time, please give me peace about saying no. Amen.”

Get the Balance Right. Abide more than you worry.

God bless you and your family.

Lily

Here’s what I mean by the balance:

Even if the Lord has blessed you with talent and financial or other resources, He did not call you to use them to fix every problem that another person creates. Instead, He called you to “ABIDE.”

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Rather Than A Rescuer

“Holy Spirit, Thank You for being our Counselor. I am sad about this situation [_________] in my child’s life. I draw close to You and ask to spend time with you – that I may seek Your wisdom in this situation. Should I offer help with this situation? I want my child to learn to depend on YOU and not me. If it is within Your will for me to act, show the right balance between showing love and creating dependence on myself instead of You. If I should not intervene at this time, please give me peace about saying no. Amen.”

Get the Balance Right. Abide more than you worry.

God bless you and your family.

Lily

Your Prayers are More Powerful than Your Prodigal’s Resistance!

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 20:19:32 GMT

For the Father who’s feeling sad on Father’s Day, please remember that…

Your Prayers are More Powerful than Your Prodigal’s Resistance!

Lily Taylor | 6.6.23

Prayers for Prodigals:

God's Word is Like A Hammer

As Mother’s Day recently passed, I had the opportunity to sympathize with quite a few moms who dread that particular day. Each year as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approach, we are bombarded with images of warm embraces and shared special moments on television ads and social media posts. But quite a large number of parents wait and hope for a call from their prodigal child on that day that never comes. The devil will whisper in your ear that you should be angry – and tell you to give up praying for your wayward child.

But the truth is that your faithful prayers are moving mountains in the heavenly realm - because God’s word is more powerful than hard hearts!

The world was full of hard hearts in the prophet Jeremiah’s day (as it is today). Many of God’s people had fallen prey to a host of lies that enticed them away from the true heart of God. Jeremiah was discouraged by the state of the world around him. God reminded Jeremiah that His word is “like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces!” [Jeremiah 23:29] I love this imagery!

Each one of our website articles are full of God’s promises from His Word. As you proclaim these promises in your life, and over the life of your prodigal child, a hammer is swinging against darkness in the spiritual realm!

Prodigal Prayer:

God's Timing is Not Our Timing

In Luke 18:7, Jesus told a parable to his disciples in which he ended the story by saying “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to him day and night?” [Luke 18:7] God’s timing is not our timing, and His ways are not our ways, but we can be sure that – if we are crying out to Him, He will answer.

We don’t need to be eloquent or quote scripture extensively to get God’s attention. Jesus seemed to be saying in Luke 18:7 that it is our coming exclusively to God, our Father, and acknowledging Him as the source of all we need, that moves the heart of God.

The Apostle Paul said this before he taught his famous lesson on spiritual warfare: “[B]e strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” [Ephesians 6:10] It is God’s might that you are tapping into when you pray . There is nothing feeble about prayer like that. So, keep the faith. Pray and then thank God in advance. If you grow sad or weary, thank Him for loving us enough to give us a loving Savior, for giving us His word and His Holy Spirit to comfort us while we wait on Him.

I have recently seen some positive shifts in my prodigal’s life. The “mountain” of doubt, rebellion, debt, and anxiety is not yet at the bottom of the sea, but it’s at the edge of the cliff. On my own, I can’t move it, but with the MIGHT God, that mountain has no chance. God said it, so I believe it!

Blessings,

Lily

Turning the Heart of Your Prodigal with Bondage-Breaking Prayers

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 19:40:48 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals:

Turning the Heart of Your Prodigal with Bondage-Breaking Prayers

Lily Taylor | 2.2.23

Praying for Wayward Children

His Promises are Powerful

Every week, I receive heart-felt letters inviting me to pray with other mothers, and I take that privilege seriously. It reminds me that I am not alone in praying for my troubled and wayward sons. While it is a privilege, these letters often break my heart for the fact that our children are growing up in a world so full of brokenness. I felt a desire this week to write and share this bondage-breaking prayer based upon God’s promises. Every sentence of the prayer is connected to a scripture

below. According to Luke 1:16-17 , you have the same spirit living inside of you that both John the Baptist and the prophet Elijah tapped into in order to win hearts back to Christ in a dramatic way! Prayers based on God’s promises are powerful!

Prodigal Son Prayer

Breaking Their Bondage

Father,

You are stronger than any evil or wicked influence in this world. ¹ You are where our help comes from. ² I raised my child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ³ Therefore, I believe that my child cannot permanently depart from the truth they were taught. ⁴ You have declared, and I agree, that my household shall be saved. ⁵ Thank you for rescuing my child from the dominion of darkness and bringing him/her into the Kingdom of Your Son! ⁶ No weapon formed against him/her shall prosper, ⁷ because I plead the blood of Jesus over my child, knowing that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. ⁸ I pray specifically that every lie of the deceiver will be brough to light, and you will give my child clear vision of the truth and lift up his/her spirit which is so broken by these lies. ⁹ Holy Spirit of God, through Your power, I pray with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – so that my family and I will be a people prepared for the Lord. ¹⁰ I don’t ask this, Lord, solely for my own peace – but that your Kingdom may expand. I love you, Lord, and I thank You in advance for what you are going to do in my child’s life. I believe it will be more than I can imagine! ¹¹ I pray this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus!

1. 1 John 4:4

2. Psalm 121: 2

3. Ephesians 6:4

4. Proverbs 22:6

5. Acts 16:31

6. Col. 1:13

7. Isaiah 54:17

8. Rev. 12:11

9. Psalm 146:8

10. Luke 1:17

11. Ephesians 3:20

I am standing in the gap with you and believing for the restoration of our families!

Blessings,

Lily

The Empty Seat at the Holiday Table

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 21:57:55 GMT

Praying for Prodigals

The Empty Seat at the Holiday Table

Lily Taylor | 12.24.22

Praying for Wayward Children

Be a Light in the Dark World

We are entering a special time of the year. A time when we reflect on the birth of the Savior and celebrate with family traditions. For many, their traditions include a meal with extended family and special food dishes reserved for the holidays. Perhaps there is someone missing from your festivities this year – someone you love who has chosen to be absent for reasons of their own. Their absence feels like a rejection, and it leaves you

with an empty place in your heart – as well as the table.

Not being able to share your love and celebration with your prodigal child is a painful reminder of the broken relationship. Where there should be mutual love and respect, you are left with something cold and empty. If the empty place at the table is threatening to steal your joy, and perhaps even distract you from the sweetness of the other relationships in your life, consider this:

Just as you miss them, Jesus longs to be in relationship with your missing loved one too and – He will never stop inviting them to His table. In Luke 14:22, Jesus told a parable of a wealthy man who planned a great feast. His invited guests did not all attend, so the master said to his servant, “ Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. ” (Luke 14:22).

God put the love you have for your prodigal child in your heart. The love you feel is a mere reflection of the love He feels toward them – and you. Let that love spill out toward others and see what He does with it this Christmas. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus - and a light in the dark world - when you reach out to someone outside of your family at Christmas. There are people all around you in your community and in your church who would be blessed by the kindness you could share with the them.

Prayers for Prodigals

In His Presence, There is Joy

Nehemiah 8:12 describes a time when the Israelites were filled with bitter sadness as they realized how they had sinned against God. Nehemiah responded to their sadness with this instruction: “This day is holy to the Lord your God, so you are not to mourn or cry. Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.”

God is near to the brokenhearted. And in His presence there is joy. So, let His joy in your heart spill over toward others who need Him. Consider…. serving in your church’s Christmas Eve program. Or,

-Take baked goods to an elderly neighbor.

-Send a Christmas card to someone in your church’s prison ministry.

-Drop off snacks to first responders who must work on Christmas and be away from their families.

Be willing to go to the “highways and the hedges” that God’s house may be full. If you ask God to open your eyes to the people who need a special touch from You this Christmas, there will never be an empty seat at your table!

Blessings,

Lily

God is Whispering

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 20:08:33 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals

God is Whispering

Lily Taylor | 11.15.22

Praying for Prodigals

He Has Answered

This morning I went to church with a wonderful young man. His life is on a solid path and his joy is contagious. A few years ago he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. A few years before that, he was in prison. We have known him since he was a teenager. As I was reflecting on how far he has come and the amazing transformation in his life, I remembered prayers we prayed for him years ago while he was in prison – that he would one day come back to the Lord and make a difference in the lives of others. And now we are seeing those prayers being answered.

When you are waiting on and desiring big breakthroughs in certain areas of your life, don’t neglect to give God the proper thanks and praise for the prayers He has already answered. Perhaps you are still waiting on your prodigal to return. If God has not yet answered that prayer , consider the prayers that He HAS answered. Every answered prayer is a “God hint” revealing the nature and sovereignty of the Creator. If we look carefully, we can see God at work – and this gives us confidence to wait patiently on Him!

We see this principal in 1 Kings 18-19. Elijah was a prophet living in a dangerous time when the servants of God were persecuted. God showed Elijah that He is capable of demonstrating His greatness by dramatic shows of power, such as raining fire from heaven. But when Elijah was feeling lonely and scared, God also also spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12). This reminds me that there are times when God is going to show up big. But there are also times when He is moving so subtly that we might not discern it, if we’re not intentionally leaning in to listen. He is everywhere and in all things.

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals

He is Working

I desperately want to see my prodigal show up at church, and rededicate his life to the Lord. I truly believe God is whispering to our son’s heart right now – just as He so obviously has been whispering to his good friend who was in church with us this morning. Elijah seems to have preferred and expected God’s answers to be dramatic, and perhaps that is what I am also hoping God will do. A little piece of me longs for God to send fire, lightning or a whirlwind to shock our son into believing, but it is the heart “whisper” that matters most.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus told a group of unhappy religious leaders who didn’t like the fact that he miraculously healed a crippled man on the Sabbath:

“ My father is always at work, to this very day. And I too am working. ” – John 5:17

Everywhere healing and restoration is needed, God is at work. Don’t miss the God hints. They are there; let them refresh you as you grow in faith.

Blessings,

Lily

Why is My Mountain Not Moving?

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 01:23:32 GMT

Prodigal Son Prayer

Why is My Mountain Not Moving?

Lily Taylor | 10.27.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined : Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prayers for Prodigals

Nothing Will Be Impossible

If you have lived very long as a Christian, there is likely to be something that you are praying for that God has not yet answered. Many of the women I speak with have been praying for a prodigal child or for a broken relationship for a long time. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20-21: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move . Nothing will be impossible for you.”

If we have earnestly prayed for our prodigal, yet the “mountain” does not appear to be moving in the right direction– do not be discouraged. The Bible gives us answers as to why that might be:

Unconfessed sin

Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not have listened to me.” This implies that if you have unconfessed sin in your life, it will hinder the effectiveness of your mountain-moving prayers. Romans 4:7 says that if we confess our sins, God not only forgives them… He forgets them! To ensure that unconfessed sin is not interfering with your prayers, spend quiet time in the presence of God asking His Holy Spirit to reveal to you any behavior or mindset that is not honoring Him. Then confess it, and continue to pray faith-filled prayers.

God’s Timing

We are finite. God is infinite. His timing is always right, despite the fact that we desire instant answers. In the famous story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis (37-50), he was faithful to God, yet was sold into slavery and wrongly imprisoned. During the 13 years where his situation looked hopeless, he may have thought that his prayers were not working. But God was moving mountains that Joseph could not see. At the right time, God restored his broken family – and promoted him beyond anything he was likely could have imagined!

God’s Plan is Much Bigger than Your Prayer

The Book of Daniel gives us a beautiful example of the impact of a lifetime of faithful prayer. In Chapter 10, Daniel was quite old and still had not seen all of his prayers answered. He continued to pray earnestly for breakthrough for his people who were in exile. Possibly his advanced age motivated his urgency in prayer. God was so moved by Daniel’s prayers, that he sent him an angel to explain that Daniel would not see all of God’s plan unfold in his lifetime, but everything Daniel prayed for would happen .

Praying for Prodigals:

While You’re Waiting…

The Bible tells us how to live while waiting for our prodigals to return:

“We should live in this evil world with wisdom , righteousness , and devotion to God while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” - Titus 2:12

No matter what you can see with your natural eyes, believe that tectonic shifts are happening in the spiritual realm – and see your prodigal return with your eyes of faith!

Blessings,

Lily

Prayer Secret: Stating Your Case Before God

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 00:13:11 GMT

Praying for Prodigals

Stating Your Case Before God: the Prayer Secret

Lily Taylor | 10.6.22

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals

A Fair and Righteous Judge

One of the beautiful things about God’s holy scripture is that it never gets outdated or grows stale – it will continue to reveal new truths to you every day! I continually search the Bible for everything it can teach me about how to pray. On this journey, I have learned that: We should pray to God as our father, (Luke 11:2-4), and that we can simply talk to Him as a friend (Psalm 27:8).

Not only is God our father and our friend – but He is also a fair and righteous judge . After reading the scriptures below, the fact that God is our judge has new meaning to me. If you are like me, you probably associate the word “judge” in connection to God with the understanding that God ultimately judges sin. Note also though, if we confess our sin, the holy, sovereign, exalted God of the universe, is willing and open to listen to all of our contentions, including pleas on behalf of others. In the natural world, it is somewhat difficult to get your case heard before a judge. However in the heavenly realm, where God is seated on His throne , He invites us to come humbly before Him and “contend.”

Consider these verses:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18)

“ I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.” (Isaiah 43:25-26)

Consider also these two verses which are bookends to the parable of the unrighteous judge found in Luke 18:

Verse 1: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable t o teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged .”

Verses 7-8: “Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly.”

The sovereign God of the universe is interested in your reasons, and his “courts” are open for you to present your case! As I am praying for my sons to return to the Lord, I ask the Lord to answer this prayer - so that they can reach people that only they could reach and bring the next generation to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in a way that I might not be able to.

Prayers for Prodigals:

Make Your Case Again Tomorrow

God is inviting you to “put Him in remembrance” of any reason that He should grant your request. This might include things that you may have done (such as tithing) or hope to do (such as testify to the miracle you are believing for). Spend some time thinking about why God should answer your prayer for your lost or wayward children . You might remember special things your child did or said when they were younger, or the fact that you dedicated them to the Lord in front of a congregation of believers. If He does not answer your prayers today, He is inviting you to come and make your case again tomorrow. He never grows weary or uninterested. As you pray in this manner, God may reveal other things to you that need to be confessed or contended for. When You approach the throne of grace, believe that today is the day that He will “ judge in your favor and do it quickly .” AMEN!

I am standing in the gap with you!

Blessings,

Lily

Connecting Your Prayers for Your Prodigal to the Intercessory Ministry of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 17:05:19 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals

Connecting Your Prayers to the Intercessory Ministry

Lily Taylor | 9.20.22

Praying for Prodigals

With Intercession from Jesus &the Holy Spirit

I talk to a lot of parents who tell me they don’t know exactly how to pray for their child. It is common, for example, for parents of prodigals to have conflicting feelings about their child suffering the consequences of their actions. Take heart in these scriptures below – and know that you are not praying on your own. If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the bible tells us that you have the privilege of asking Jesus and God’s Holy Spirit to intercede with you and for you .

Let’s examine these key verses which tell us about this amazing intercessory prayer ministry of Jesus and the Holy Spirit:

Romans 8:34 : “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us .”

Hebrews 7:25 : “Therefore, he [Jesus] is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. ”

Romans 8:26-27 : “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

1 Timothy 2:5 : “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…”

When Jesus ascended to heaven after dying on the cross for our sins, He didn’t stop making intercession for believers and His bride, the Church. The scriptures above clearly say that He continues to intercede on our behalf. If you are praying for a prodigal , invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray , and also to intercede with you on your child’s behalf .

Praying for Wayward Children:

Adopting God's Will and Perspective

When Jesus taught his own close band of disciples to pray, He told them to “ ask the Father directly…using my name, ” (John 16:23-24). So, while we are to pray directly to God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit desire to help us learn to pray effective prayers . These are some examples of things that you might ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit:

To abide with you while you pray to the Father.
To give you insight and discernment of what to pray for.
To better understand God’s will in the circumstance.
To remember scripture verses in order to pray the promises of God.
Wisdom and insight to see your situation with God’s perspective and understand His will.
Whether to invite someone else to pray with you, and if so, who.

It is a profound privilege for the believer to be able to go into the presence of God and pray in the name of His Son who dwells in us but is also at God’s right hand!

Blessings,

Lily

A New Way to Pray for your Prodigal Child

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:23:06 GMT

Praying for Wayward Children

A New Way to Pray for Your Prodigal Child

Lily Taylor | 9.6.22

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals:

Hedge of Protection

My husband, Skip, and I use a wonderful app/podcast called the Daily Audio Bible to read us the bible in a year. This is our 11 ^th journey through the bible, and knowing God’s word better has changed our lives. As we came to the familiar story of Job in our reading last week, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me in a new way about praying for our prodigal children.

The story is a dramatic one. Satan was granted access

to the throne room of God. When God comments on the faith and piety of Job, Satan responds, in essence, “Job only serves you because you are blessing and protecting him. If Job had to deal with calamity, he wouldn’t love you as much.” (Job 1:9-11). In response to this provocation from Satan, God lifted the “ hedge of protection ” around Job, and allowed Job to be tested by his enemy.

Job’s great faith throughout his bitter ordeal is what I ordinarily take away from this story. But I was struck this time by the thought that the opposite request of the one uttered by Satan would be one that honors God so much more. As believers, we also have access to the throne room of Heaven . (Hebrews 4:16) Unlike the evil one who asked to test Job, to see if he would curse God, I desire to come boldly before God – asking if He would place a hedge of protection around my child – and separate him from Satan – so that my child may once again hear from his Creator!

Prayer for Prodigals:

Still Small Voice

My specific prayer is this:

Lord, You know what lies Satan is whispering to my child and which lies my child has foolishly believed. Would you please replace the hedge of protection over my child – drowning out lies and deceptions – and give him space to hear YOUR voice instead? Thank you, Lord, for my salvation and the ability and privilege to pray for others. Gratefully, I heard Your call when I was younger. Now, I ask You to put my son in a place where he can hear Your “ still small voice ” again. Amen!

If your child needs protection right now, I encourage you to also check out my previous post, Learning about the Cities of Refuge .

I hope this message blesses you. If you would like specific prayer for your child, send us a message through this website. Please consider reposting this prayer, or sending it to a friend who needs it!

God bless,

Lily

Worry is the Enemy of Peace: 3 Ways to Stay at Peace While You’re Waiting on Your Prodigal Child to Return

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 20:06:07 GMT

Prayers for Prodigals:

Worry is the Enemy of Peace

Lily Taylor | 8.15.22

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Trust in Him

I was recently drawn to Proverbs 3-4. These verses contain some of the Bible’s most amazing promises. Written by King Solomon, this passage promises that if we seek after wisdom, we will have: 1) a long prosperous life, 2) success, 3) good health, and 4) peace. Several of these promises had come to pass in my life, but I was truly struggling with the last one. A recent conservation between myself and God went something like this, “Yahweh, You given you so much, a wonderful

husband, friends, a lovely place to do life. But, I am struggling to truly enjoy these gifts. How can I enjoy all You have given me, when one of my boys is homeless, and one claims not to know you??” I felt God gently answer: “ If you really trust Me with this situation, you can stay in peace. In fact, if you persist in allowing worry to steal your peace…it might consume those other gifts !”

I knew I had to change, and add some habits to my life which help me fight anxiety and enjoy my life more. Here are 3 areas to consider:

1. Find a place where you can feel God’s presence. I feel like I can hear more clearly from God early in the morning. I like to wake up early, and devote the first hour of the day to time with God. Almost no one is competing for my time at that hour, so I feel more relaxed and at peace. After I pray and read my Bible, I feel like I have been in God’s presence – and “girded” to face whatever the day may bring.

2. Give yourself permission to have some fun. I tend to have a sense of guilt over doing something frivolous. Somewhere in the back mind there is a voice that says, “You shouldn’t be wasting your time doing this – when there are people to serve, articles to write, bills to pay and other important tasks to be done.” Yet, I have learned that when I allow myself to just lounge in the pool, or watch a show that my husband and I both enjoy, I let my worry muscle rest! Worry not only creates frown lines on your forehead and the corners of your mouth, but it also creates a wrinkle in your neuro pathways, which makes it easier to worry more! Instead of feeling guilty for allowing yourself to have fun (even when other family members may be suffering), think of it like this: You are letting your “worry muscle” atrophy, and giving your “happy muscle” muscle a workout – which your brain needs to stay healthy. You can’t help your loved one if you make yourself sick.

3. Invite God in to more moments throughout the day. This one is very hard for me. When I focus on work, I tend to put on my work “hat” and can spend hours working on complex legal problems, and no time in prayer. Recently, I have made a conscious effort, using phone and calendar reminders, to get up out of my desk chair, and walk to where I can see something outside, take a deep breath, and say, “Thank you God, for this moment with You. Thank you that You are never too busy to commune with us and answer prayer . Thank you that you are protecting me and my family from the weapons trying to form right now. Amen!” This totally re-orients my mind. The more I do it, the more peaceful I feel.

Praying for Wayward Children:

This Will Pass

Imagine peace being a bit like the oxygen tank for a scuba diver. When you are intentional about seeking a peaceful mind, you are refilling your “tank” so that you can keep breathing and “swimming.” The bible promises us that we can experience a life filled with peace – a peace that is flowing like a steady river and not dependent on our circumstances. In Matthew 8:23-27, we find that Jesus was able to sleep peacefully in the middle of a terrible storm. He modeled for us the perfect picture of a what a peace-filled life looks like. So, no matter how much your boat is getting tossed around, close your eyes and picture Jesus speaking. He is saying: “Be still. Get some rest. This will pass.”

Praying for you to have more peace today!

Lily

Don't Let the Enemy Have the Last Word Over Your Prodigal Child

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:03:51 GMT

Praying for Your Prodigal:

Don't Let the Enemy Have the Last Word

Lily Taylor | 8.3.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prayers for Prodigals:

Enemy Ammunition

I recently came across this passage in 2 Chronicles 32, and it made me stop, and read it again: “After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah.” It was a bit of a let down in the middle of a happy story. The previous chapters (29-31), describe how Hezekiah was a great king of Judah – dedicated to serving the Lord. Then, this sentence appears in the story. In the midst of a life devoted to God, an enormous enemy arrives at

Hezekiah’s doorstep ready to destroy his life. I thought this felt a lot like my own story. Since rededicating my life to the Lord at age 29, I believe I have tried to live a God-honoring life – yet some years into that journey, the enemy launched a full-scale assault on my family. Perhaps you can also relate?

Revelation 12:10 states that our enemy, Satan, brings accusations about believers before God “ day and night .” Despite our best efforts, each of us falls short of the glory of God every day (Romans 3:23). But if you have a prodigal child , you may experience fear and despair that your child is giving the enemy a lot of ammunition with which to make accusations day and night before God.

Let’s consider how Hezekiah responded to a similar terrifying situation. King Sennacherib of Assyria began a campaign against Judah, and after taking many people captive, he stood outside the walls of Hezekiah’s city spouting blasphemy and psychological warfare. King Sennacherib knew that if he could get the people of Judah to take their eyes off of God and focus on to the size of his army – the battle would be won.

But, Hezekiah refused to let the enemy’s words defeat him or the people that he had sworn to protect. Instead of despairing over the ground the enemy had already taken, Hezekiah took the written words of the enemy into the temple and laid them on the altar and prayed. His prayer can be summarized like this: “Lord, you have just heard what the enemy said. It is obvious that he is very powerful, but You are God of all creation. I ask you to save us, so that everyone will see and know that You are much stronger than he is!”

Prayer for Wayward Children:

Conquering the Enemy

Because we too have an enemy shouting accusations about our family, we should follow Hezekiah’s example. Go to the altar of God, and pray: “ Lord, I have an enemy . I can imagine him in heaven now telling you about all the poor choices and bad acts of my child, myself and possibly even my ancestors. But I come before You to shout louder about Your mercy and goodness! I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior. I dedicated my child to You from an early age. My son/daughter was raised to know and love you . Now, a giant, loud enemy of [sin, addiction, anxiety] is trying to defeat my child and impacting our whole family. But, I put my faith in YOU! I ask You to give us victory for your name’s sake, Lord. So that others will see, and know that You are the reason my family is restored. Do not let the enemy’s words stand…instead, let Your promises stand forever! ”

In Hezekiah’s lowest moment, he was just as concerned for the reputation of God, as he was for his own life and happiness. Use this as your motivation today. God answered Hezekiah’s prayer so that the enemy’s words would be revealed as the lie that they were… and He can do it again !

If you found inspiration from this article, check out Praying for Your Prodigal Child is Having More Impact Than You Can See .

Blessings,
Lily

Praying for Wayward Children: Words that Wound

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:19:14 GMT

Praying for Wayward Children: Words that Wound

How to Repair Words We Regret

Lily Taylor | 7.18.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Choosing Words Wisely

When there is a damaged relationship between you and someone you love, words can quickly become weapons. If you have a “prodigal” in your life, this probably means that someone you love has walked away from your relationship. In addition to feelings of sadness and loss, their choices may be causing you anger and resentment as well… especially if your loved one is also “squandering their inheritance,” like the prodigal son in Luke 15. When that type of tension exists, it is easy to let anger and frustration overtake our words.

The Bible says our tongue is a powerful weapon – able to inflict both life and death . (Proverbs 18:21). I recently fell into this trap and said some things I later regretted to our oldest son. We were having a fairly pleasant conversation which changed very quickly when he started blaming his father and I for his own poor choices. I knew his words were not true, but they wounded deeply anyway and I erupted into tears and shouting.

After he left in a rage, I felt miserable. While part of me felt justifiably angry, as a believer I regretted that I let myself react in such an unhelpful way. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." The Voice translation puts the same scripture this way: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

I was especially disappointed with my reaction, because it came on the heels of some relationship progress and felt like such a big setback. I was reminded of how Proverbs 18:19 says, "A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace!”

If many of your conversations end in shouting, this means you both feel like you’re not being heard .

Prayer for Prodigals: How to Make it Right

After much prayer and reflection on this topic, I have outlined some suggestions below that helped me and I hope they will help you:

1. Try a different method of communicating for a while. I texted our son and told him that I was only going to communicate with him by text for a few days. This was not some sort of punishment, but because when I write, I tend to read my sentences and rewrite them before I send each message, and I often temper my words when I do. The text-only communication lasted several days in which we had a few really good exchanges.

2. If you said something that you regret, apologize – even if the other person started the argument and hasn’t yet apologized. At least you know that you have started the healing process from your end, which is all you can control.

3. Actions speak louder than words sometimes. Endeavor to speak less and “show up” in a different way. A few days after our argument, our son made us aware that he made some more poor choices and didn’t have enough money to buy essential needs. Instead of another lecture, or “resentfully rescuing” with money, we dropped off a few groceries and said a prayer with him . This didn’t solve his problem, but our brief connection demonstrated that we care about his suffering.

4. Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their heart and diminish the power of your words. God’s words are incredibly powerful. He literally spoke the whole universe into being with a word. He likewise has the power to “capture” anything negative you have put out into His universe and render it ineffective for the devil’s use. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” I believe that can apply to even weapons you've created yourself!

Finally, remember that our words reveal what’s in our heart . (Luke 6:45). If you have used your words in a way that doesn’t line up with Ephesians 4:29, then you probably have some self-care to do on your own heart. You may be completely justified in what you said, but if you want all of your words to honor God, fill your heart with the peace of God. Philippians 4:6 says that when we pray thanksgiving in our heart – we will “know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus…”

If you have experienced victory over the “tongue,” please share your comments below!

Blessings,
Lily

Waiting Well: Prayers for Prodigals

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 18:30:39 GMT

Waiting Well: Prayers for Prodigals

How to Thrive in a Season of Waiting

Lily Taylor | 6.29.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Praying for Prodigals

You may be in a season of waiting on God to answer your prayers for your prodigal child. There is a way to wait that not only demonstrates your faith in God, but will also help your faith grow. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women whose prayers were answered by God after a long season of waiting. God’s timing is often not the same as our desired timing. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 is one such story that offers us key principles to honoring God while you are waiting on His timing.

1. Christians are better in community! You are not alone. No matter what has happened to you or in your family, you belong in the Body of Christ. Someone else in your church or bible study has brokenness in their family too. God designed us for community. Galatians 6:2 says that Christians must “ bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ .” Hannah was married and very much wanted to have a child, but was unable to conceive for many long years. She sought solace in her church and was not embarrassed to tell her priest why she was crying in church one day. The priest prayed for her, and Hannah began to believe that God would ultimately answer her prayers. Had she not been in church, she might never have heard this encouraging word.

2. Build a Christian support network into your life. If you don’t yet have a network of healthy people to lean on for guidance and support, it can take a bit of time to develop, but it is invaluable to weathering life’s storms. If you already have a group of friends who love and support you, nurture those friendships. Sometimes, you need wise counsel and emotional support to help you stand strong in faith, while waiting on the promises of God. Proverbs 27:17 says “ As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another .” I believe this scripture reminds us that building and cultivating friendship is important to having victorious faith. Celebrate your friend’s victories, and stand with them when they are in a battle. Simply doing life with other Christians can help you keep your own life in balance. During all the years that Hannah longed for a child, she apparently nurtured a close relationship with her husband, Elkanah, and worshipped with him regularly.

3. Fill your mind and spirit daily. When you are in a season of waiting it is easy to get discouraged and to start to doubt that God is going to answer your prayer. Closely guard what you fill your mind with. Instead of spending time binge watching a television program, spend some of that time listening to Bible-based podcasts or Christian teaching. One of our favorite tools is the Daily Audio Bible app . Listening to the spoken word of God will reorient your mind completely. Sometimes I have to listen to it twice to start my day! We try to post beautiful promises from scripture on our Lily Taylor social media channels often. Consider re-posting these promises to your own social sites, and sharing them with others.

4. Serve others in need . Perhaps one of the things you have been asking God to do is to bring someone into you’re your child’s life who can effectively speak truth and life to them? Why not start doing that very thing for someone else’s child, who needs your help? Philippians 2:3-11 reminds us that we are never more like Christ than when we humble ourselves and serve others – as He did. Hannah did not live near the temple where she worshipped, so she promised God that she would dedicate her son to His service. If Hannah gave up fellowship with her beloved son to honor the God who answers prayer, we can surely give up a few hours a week to serve in a prison ministry, or a local foodbank, or anywhere that there are men and women God wants to reach with His love!

Prodigal Son Prayer

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds us that “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Please remember that Skip and I are WITH you. We care about every prodigal child coming home, as we want our sons to return to God. If you haven’t read the other articles on our “ Pray for Prodigals ” website, I encourage you to read them. And send us your prayer requests. We will walk through the waiting together…

Praying for Your Prodigal Child Is Having More Impact Than You Can See

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 02:32:33 GMT

Praying for Your Prodigal Child Is Having

More Impact Than You Can See

Praying for Your Prodigal Child Is Having More Impact Than You Can See

Lily Taylor | 6.14.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prayer for Your Child

If you have been praying for your child for a long time, it is easy to become discouraged – or to start to question whether God hears your prayers. I hope the points below will bless and encourage you today!

If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside of you. (1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s Holy Spirit intercedes for you. Your prayers are before the throne of Heaven. Romans 8:26-27.

James 5:16 says “ The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results .” If your answer has not yet come, meditate on these powerful truths:

1. God wants to answer your prayer !

2 Peter 3:9 states that God is patient with our mistakes because He does not want anyone to perish and be separated from Him. Therefore, you can be confident that He wants to answer your prayers for your child to return to faith – the prayer He placed in your heart! Psalm 37:4 tells us to “Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” If you are praying for your child to submit his/her life to the Lord, that is a prayer that God wants to answer! Knowing that God wants to restore your relationship with your child should motivate you to pray in faith and pray “without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

2. God hears your prayers and He is moving even when you cannot see .

In Matthew 18:10-14, Jesus told his followers that God assigns his angels to watch after our children, and that He, the Good Shepherd, will leave 99 sheep to search for only one that is lost. No matter how far away your child is from you or from God, He will never stop seeking them. In another passage, Jesus says that he “stands at the door knocking .” (Revelation 3:20) Notice that Jesus is making His presence known. He is knocking, not simply waiting. Therefore, you can be confident that God is listening to your prayers, and He is putting things into place that you can’t yet see.

3. Jesus seeks to save even those who aren’t looking for Him .

Mark 5 tells the story of a man who was about as lost and hopeless as anyone could be – living in a graveyard, cutting himself continually crying out in his pain. The man was not asking for forgiveness or turning his heart toward God, yet Jesus went looking for him anyway. This story gives me much comfort. You can rest in peace at night – no matter where your child is – knowing that Jesus sees where your child is and He cares.

Refresh your prayer time with the model demonstrated by Nehemiah 1:5-11. In Chapter 1, Nehemiah prayed a beautiful intercessory prayer. The wall around his ancestral home was decimated, and the people who had resettled there were in danger. Nehemiah included these elements below in his prayer, which God promptly answered:

Put God in His rightful place of sovereignty and honor.
Confessed his sin and the sin of his people.
Remembered what God had promised to do for His followers.
Asked for God’s provision to do what he could not do on his own.

Prodigal Son Prayer:

The Prayer of the Intercessor

“ Lord, I acknowledge You as my Lord and savior. You flung the stars into space, and You know my needs before I ask. I confess any sin that separates me from You. I confess my thoughts of giving up on my prodigal child. I confess my weak, desperate prayers, and pray now with boldness – believing that my prayer lines up with Your heart. If I have harbored doubt, I reject it. I believe You are working in the Heavenly realms to line up the right people or circumstances that will draw my child’s heart back to You! I know that You are the God who hears our prayers , and Your timing is perfect. Please knock loudly at the door of my child’s heart today, relentlessly pursue him/her…. That they may be used for Your glory, Lord!”

Special Protection Prayers for Prodigals

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 01:10:23 GMT

Special Protection Prayers for Prodigals

Lily Taylor | 6.4.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prayers for Wayward Children:

Learning About the Cities of Refuge

Because I am praying for a prodigal son, I am continually searching for Bible verses which are promises of healing and restoration. This week, a verse that I had read many times on my journey through the Bible impacted me as it had never done before. I think the context of the story is the reason why this truth had not brought me comfort before. The scripture is found in the middle of a sad story.

2 Samuel 14:14 reads, “ All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him .”

This verse is part of a conversation in which a subject of King David is trying to persuade him to allow his banished son, Absalom, to return from exile. The King is persuaded and briefly reconciles with this son. Unfortunately, their relationship sours again, and never recovers. For years, I have believed that this is not a story where I can find comfort in my situation.

But, I was wrong!

In the middle of this sad story is a promise that God is not distant from our prodigal child waiting for him or her to turn back to Him. Instead He is actively devising ways to bring them back ! It is likely that the woman’s statement in verse 14 is a reference to the “ cities of refuge ” described in Numbers 35:11–24. God instructed the Israelites to create “cities of refuge” when they entered into the land He promised to give them. These cities were a place where someone who had committed accidental manslaughter could seek asylum from those who sought to punish him or her. Outside the city of refuge the person who made a terrible mistake could be legally killed by avenger; but, inside the city, that person could live and prosper. When the Jewish High Priest died, the refuge seeker was set completely free – forgiven.

This is such a beautiful picture of the unrelenting love of Jesus, our Savior! He is our high priest and died to set us completely free. He not only wants to wash all our sins away, He wants to give us an abundant, fruitful life. (John 10:10). As I read about the cities of refuge, I began praying that God would put my two prodigal sons into a place of refuge in the Heavenly realm .

The Bible says we have an adversary who accuses us before the throne of God day and night. (Revelation 12:10). Even if our prodigal children are legally giving the adversary something to charge him/her with, we can pray that Jesus, our Savior, will allow our children to be given refuge from the accuser for a time. This is not only to protect them from the one who came to kill, steal and destroy. But, also to give my child a peaceful mind and the ability to discern lies. In this place of protection, I ask that my child will hear the still small voice of God – knocking on the door of his heart. (Revelation 3:20).

Join me in this prayer below. I truly believe that the prayers of a believing parent are powerful and effective! (James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)

Prodigal Son Prayer:

Prayers for Refuge

“ Lord, we know our children were created by You. Despite where they are right now, You still have a plan for their lives! Because of the blood of Jesus, they can be whole and healed once again. You can restore things that are completely broken - just as you showed Ezekiel that you can put flesh on "dry bones!"

Lord, you put so much love in our hearts for our children. And you know the pain that we feel because they are not walking in their destiny. You said you would carry all our burdens. So, we leave our pain at the foot of the cross. And we ask You to place our child’s soul into a place of refuge – just like you designed for the children of Abraham. This is so that my child can hear from you in a place that is free from the adversary, for a time. Your word promises us in 2 Samuel that You “ devise ways to restore those you have been separated from you .” We pray in agreement with that promise. Please restore and bring back my child who has been separated from You. May You act in accordance with this promise for Your glory !

Please give us a special touch today to remind us that You are "El Roi" - the "God who sees us." (Genesis 16). Help us to see and enjoy our other blessings, while we wait on YOU.

All our hope is in you, Lord! Amen ! "

Hang onto Joy While You're Waiting for God to Answer Prayers for Your Prodigal

Fri, 20 May 2022 01:10:28 GMT

Praying for Wayward Children:

Don't Let it Steal Your Joy

Lily Taylor | 5.17.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Scriptures for Prodigals:

Your Detour is Not Your Destiny

Proverbs 23:24 says “ The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise .” But, if you are a Christian parent and your child is walking in the way of the world instead of pursuing godliness, you probably feel anything but joy. We raised our children in church and took them to church camp and youth group, yet as adults our two boys rejected faith as a way of life. If you are reading this article, you may have experienced the sadness this circumstance

can bring. In this 2nd article of 5 lessons for parents of prodigals, we deal with the issue of how not to let disappointment steal your joy. You have the power to remain filled with the “joy of the Lord”, even in the midst of pain and God desires that for you.

A key scripture on this topic is James 1:2-4: “ Dear brothers and sisters: when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow- so let it grow. For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” It can be a difficult scripture to embrace when the things happening in your life make you feel sad or even angry. However, with God’s help, you can obey this scripture and find the strength to “consider it an opportunity for great joy.”

1. Dealing with Fear . This life is full of “Joy Killers”, but Christians know the Joy Filler ! The first Joy Killer is fear . Like us, many parents of prodigals live in fear of getting a call saying that something terrible has happened to their child. The antidote of fear is to live in the presence of God . Hebrews 10:19 says, “ And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus . ” If you are a Christian, you can be full of joy anywhere because you can be in the presence of God no matter where you stand! When Jesus died, the veil was torn, and we can come into the very presence of the throne room of heaven when we pray. Isn’t that amazing? That when we pray, we are not only standing on the Earth, but standing before God in Heaven? You cannot take fear into the presence of God; once you enter it, fear and shame leave!

2. Dealing with Shame . The second Joy Killer is shame . Shame is an awful feeling. Our adversary, satan, will try to tell you that if your child is making terrible choices, you must have been an inadequate parent. Don’t believe accept that lie. We must “ take every thought captive to Christ ,” as we are commanded to do in 2 Corinthians 2:5. Every time shame threatens to steal your joy, envision yourself stepping out from under the cloud of shame and walking back into God’s protective covering . Envision yourself putting on your “helmet of salvation” from Ephesians 6, and speak this over yourself, “ I refuse that feeling. I don’t have to carry it or accept it, because God is my covering! ”

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals:

Joy is Contagious and Self-Perpetuating

If you have read my previous blog post, Prodigal Son Prayer , you know I love the book of Nehemiah and that it helped me through our long, difficult season. While reading it, God gave me a vision in my mind that, like Nehemiah, I was adding a brick to the protective, spiritual wall around my family every time I knelt to pray. A particular verse which stuck out to me was Nehemiah 8:9-10:

“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep .’ For all the people had been weeping as the listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy the choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength .’”

Most Christians know the last part of this famous scripture, but if you’re not familiar with the context, the returning Israelites had just rebuilt the wall around their decimated city and had their first worship service. During the service, they realized how they had wandered from their God-given destiny, and they began to weep and mourn. But Nehemiah taught them that, once they had repented, they would receive God’s joy to refresh them. Reading this, I visualized coming into the presence of God and His joy flowing over me. I realized that when I am weak, tired and discouraged, I am allowed to “borrow” God’s joy. He is so happy to see you and be in communion with you, that His joy is overflowing, and you can feel it - and take it with you! Joy is contagious and self-perpetuating, so that when you receive it and share it with others, it will come back to you again. If you’re depleted, kneel in prayer , sing a praise-filled song, or meditate on a scripture that blesses your heart. You can fill your heart with God’s joy until you’re able to pour it back out.

The final note I’d like to leave you with is that if you choose joy, you can’t lose it . It’s a choice; it’s not something you have to earn or work for. If you’re in a season which threatens to steal your joy, say this to yourself: “I’m going to choose joy. I am grateful that God gave me my child and that He is watching over them day and night, no matter where they are. Today, I am going to walk in joy, simply because I know the Creator of the Universe and I know that He holds my life and my child in His hands. No phone call or piece of unpleasant news can take that away today, because my choice is between me and God. He made my child and will draw them back to Himself - not for just because I am His child, but for His glory. He instructed me to have joy in my heart, so I receive and refuse to trade it for lie! ”

Lessons from Nehemiah for Parents of Prodigals: Praying a Spiritual Wall Around Your Far-Away Child

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:29:16 GMT

Prodigal Son Prayer

Lily Taylor | 4.19.22

The following post is inspired by the events detailed in our true story, Unconfined: Lessons from Prison and the Journey of Being Set Free , by Lily Taylor. We hope it will help you find joy and purpose while you are waiting on restoration.

Prayer for My Son in Trouble:

Where the Wall Started to Crack

Is your relationship with your child or someone you love broken , despite your best plans and efforts? My husband, Skip, and I have experienced how much it hurts to raise up a child to know and love Jesus, but watch that child walk far away from the things of God. Like so many other parents, we have carried a burden of guilt and wondered what we did wrong?

At the time when we got the call that changed our family forever, we were living in a quaint small town in the Texas hill country near San Antonio. My husband

was a CPA and finance executive with a healthcare firm. I was a corporate lawyer. We were very active in our church and our community. We thought we were doing the right things to raise well-grounded children, but our happy life was turned upside down when we learned that our son had been arrested and charged under federal law for participating in an illegal drug operation.

We started reading the Bible like we had never read it before. We wanted to find and learn all of God’s promises for parents. We began to pray the promises of God. In the fullness of time, we saw God answer many of these prayers and we want to share them with you. The first important principal that we felt God showing us is that He is the architect of the family . Because God is the creator and designer of the family, He is the one to turn to for restoration.

Scripture Prayers for Prodigals:

Our Wall

One book of the Bible in particular from which we drew inspiration was the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was an Israelite who had been taken captive and was in exile from his homeland. He had a deep desire to restore an important part of his family heritage which had been totally destroyed – the protective wall around the holy city of Jerusalem. His story is ordinarily seen as a primer on leadership, not family restoration. But we noticed when we were actively searching the Bible for promises of restoration, that Nehemiah’s act of rebuilding a wall of safety around Jerusalem was the catalyst that brought many of God’s people back into fellowship with each other, and with the Lord.

One night while I was praying, I saw in my mind an image of stones – the type of large stones used for building a structure. I asked God to show me how I could build a “spiritual wall” around my family – like Nehemiah built the physical wall around the city of Jerusalem.

In the fullness of time, I believe God’s Ho ly Spirit revealed several things to me about the value of this spiritual wall. This lesson – Understanding the Architect’s Design - is the first of 5 lessons.

I believe that one reason Nehemiah saw his prayers answered was because he honored God with the content of his prayer. He gave God praise and reverence while lining up his requests with the promises of God revealed in scripture . Nehemiah 1: 5-11 is an excellent example:

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! I confess that I have sinned and my own family have sinned greatly against you. Please remember what you told your servant Moses…if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the Earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored... Listen to the prayers of those who delight in honoring you. Please grant me favor with the king today.” Nehemiah 1:5-11

Scripture for Prodigals:

Praying Scripture for Your Prodigal

Following the example we see in Nehemiah’s prayer above, consider praying the following prayer for your prodigal’s return:

1. Adoration. “O Lord, God of Heaven, You are the great and awesome God of creation who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love you, please hear this prayer.”

2. Confession . “I confess my own sins and anything in my thoughts and actions that has separated me from You. Please forgive me. I also confess the sins of my child, who is currently wandering in the wilderness. Touch [his/her] heart right now, Lord and convict [him/her] of sin. Finally, I confess the sins of my ancestors. If there is anything in my family line that was brought through me to my children in the flesh that does not honor You, I reject it and declare that “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 25:14)

3. Declare the Promises of God : “Lord, You say in Your Word that children are a blessing and You declared Your creation to be “ very good .” (Genesis 1:37). You also said that children are a “ divine reward .” (Psalm 127:3-5.) If my child is separated from me and from You, then I know that all I need to do is ask for Your help, because Your word never returns void, but accomplishes what You have set out to do. (Isaiah 55:11) You promise to give back what we have lost. (Joel 2:25). You promise to breathe life into dead, dry things – including my relationship with my child! (Ezekiel 37:1-10) I desire to see all that You have promised come true.”

4. Ask : “ Lord, please restore my child’s health and restore them to a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7). I know you will never stop knocking on the door of [his/her] heart. (Revelation 3:20). Please remind [him/her] of who You are and Your love for them. Give [him/her] a desire to reconnect with their family and return to worshipping You! I ask for favor with you, my King, today!”

God’s design and desire is to build His kingdom. He chooses to do that through families. If your desire is to see your child return to faith, that desire lines up with the heart of God. Building our “spiritual wall” creates a holy place for God to do His work.

(While You’re Waiting on Your Answer) BUILD A FIRM FOUNDATION:

1. Ask God how to love your child the way he or she is at this moment. Ask Him for divine wisdom and guidance to know when to speak, and when prompted, what to say.

2. List 5 things you admire and are grateful for about your son or daughter (or estranged loved one). Pray for an opportunity to share these feelings with them.

3. Commit to not saying anything negative about your child, even when confronted with a bad reality. Declare out loud to yourself and to others that your son or daughter will fulfill their destiny and that they are a fearfully and wonderfully made masterpiece of God!

Parting Thoughts:

Although parts of our journey were very painful, in the fullness of time, we saw God do some amazing things – that only He can do. Our son has been home for 4 years, following his 9.5 years in prison. While the experience was not without scars, our son has drawn closer to God and our relationship is being restored. We believe that your relationship CAN be restored, because nothing is too difficult for God.

How to Intercede in Prayer for Your Prodigal Child

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:13:59 GMT

How to Intercede in Prayer for Your Prodigal Child

Lily Taylor | 2.18.22

If you are reading this and your child is making harmful choices, your concern for them is probably taking an emotional toll on you. There were times in our 15-year journey that it seemed impossible that we would see our prodigal appear in the distance, on the path home to the Father. Whenever we focused on our situation, we felt hopeless. But when we focused our hearts and minds on the Lord, we were filled with hope - because nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37). Your child is blessed to have a praying parent interceding on their behalf! For every praying parent, I want to join my hope to yours and pray in agreement with you – that you will see the answers to your prayers. Allow your spirit to be filled with peace, as you meditate on these powerful Biblical truths.

Day 1 Devotional:

Everything God Designed is Good . Your child was created by God and he loves them. If you told your child about Jesus when they were small, that seed is planted in their heart. God spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1:1) and His words are powerful (Isaiah 55:11). His design for your child is for them to have hope and walk in his purpose (Jeremiah 29:11).

Meditation : Call to mind the awe and wonder of bringing new life into the world. No matter what detours your child may have taken, he or she is God’s workmanship and a treasure to the Lord. The seed of God’s word spoken over them as a young child will grow.

Prayer : Father God, my child’s life is a beautiful gift. Thank you that you can make all things new. When my child was little I taught him about what Jesus did to save us. Your holy scripture promises me that one day soon, you will water the seed that was planted. When my child calls out to you, he will be restored – made into a new creation brimming with hope and purpose.

Day 2 Devotional:

My Prayers are in Agreement with God’s Heart . God is patient with our mistakes because He does not want anyone to perish and be separated from Him. (2 Peter 3:9) Therefore, you can be confident that God wants to answer your prodigal son prayer .

Meditation : Confess anything in your mind or your life right now that does not line up with the heart of God. His heart is inclined to you, because you desire to please Him and follow Him.

Prayer : Lord, You love my child even more than I do and created her to be a difference maker! Please give me a vision in my spirit of my daughter living for you, and then as I see it in my spirit, may I see it come to pass as soon as possible. I am eager to give you praise and glory for the answer to this prayer.

Day 3 Devotional:

Intercessory Prayer is Powerful . Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10) In His ministry, Jesus traveled all over searching for lost souls. Jesus sought to save even those who weren’t looking for Him. The fifth chapter of the Book of Mark tells the story of a man who was about as lost and hopeless as anyone could be – living in a graveyard continually crying out in his pain and cutting himself. The man was not asking for forgiveness or turning his heart toward God, yet Jesus went looking for him anyway.

Meditation : Call to mind the many stories in the Bible of people who interceded for others and saw their prayers answered. God answered their prayer even when the person who was the object of their prayer was not praying. He can do the same for you! Abraham pleaded for the lost city of a Sodom and God sent mighty angels to extricate Abraham’s nephew Lot. (Genesis 18-19) Four faithful friends brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, and when Jesus saw their faith, he healed their friend. (Mark 2:1-5)

Prayer : Like the four friends who dropped their friend through the roof to lay him at the feet of Jesus, I lay my son before you, Lord. I ask you Lord to heal him of all mental and physical conditions, influences and beliefs which might lead to destruction. Open my son’s eyes today to see the truth and beauty of your love. Jesus I know you only have to speak the word, and my child will be healed and brought to new life!

Day 4 Devotional:

God is moving even when I cannot see it . In Matthew 18, Jesus told his followers that God assigns his angels to watch after our children. Think about how special that is. In the book of Daniel, an angel appeared to him 21 days after Daniel prayed an intercessory prayer. The angel explained that moment Daniel prayed, God dispatched an angel to answer. (Daniel 10). The delay in Daniel hearing the answer was due to a heavenly battle was being fought on his behalf.

Meditation : My prayers are unleashing amazing, powerful things in the heavenly realm.

Prayer : God, thank you that I don’t need to see with my eyes to believe with my heart that you are moving. Like Daniel, I take moments out of my day to pray and feel your peace, knowing that this battle will be won. You have said that nothing will be withheld from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11). Therefore, I know YOU HAVE THIS and I can trust you!

Day 5 Devotional:

God never stops seeking our prodigal.

Meditation : Jesus is so eager to have a relationship with your son or daughter that He is watching, knocking and pursing them. He leaves the 99 to run after a lost sheep.

Prayer : Thank you, Father God that You never stop pursuing us. Thank you that You leave the 99 to pursue my son who is far off, because You love him so much. Thank you that You desire to restore our children who far off. You do not want our children to be overcome by the things of this world, instead You what to give them good gifts. Please cause my son’s spirit to be thirsty for the things of God and experience a time when he feels the love and indwelling of Your spirit. You have said that it only takes a mustard seed of faith to be saved. I planted seeds of faith when my child was young. So, I can be confident that when he is older those seeds will be watered – because your word never returns void!